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On World AIDS Day 2017: British Columbia on target to meet goals to help end HIV/AIDS epidemic

Although British Columbia once the bore the brunt of the AIDS crisis in Canada, the province is now leading the way with progress in the country. According to the Vancouver-based B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE), B.C. is on the right path to meet United Nations 90-90-90 goals established to bring an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The BC-CfE (which was launched in 1992) estimates that within B.C. by 2020, 90 percent of HIV–positive citizens will be diagnosed, 91 percent of those people will be on treatment, and 90 percent will be on treatment that will prevent any viral infections of others.

According to 2014 data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, in British Columbia, 80 percent of HIV–positive people were diagnosed, 76 percent were on treatment, and 89 percent were virally suppressed.

BC-CfE senior statistician and research scientist Dr. Viviane Lima stated in a news release that there hasn't been a baby born HIV–positive since 2008.

While queer men and MSM (men who have sex with men) continue to represent over 50 percent of HIV infections in B.C., there has been significant progress made for treatment.

“When it comes to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community—the research finds they are highly likely to be on treatment, and virologically suppressed, meaning HIV cannot be detected in their blood,” Dr. Lima stated. “For a community that has been historically disproportionately impacted by HIV, the meeting of these targets should be acknowledged and celebrated.”